Clownfish dying

[Sierra_Bravo]

Clownfish pair was quarantined for two months, treated with Prazi, eating well with no signs of disease. They were transfered into my DT about a week ago and they have been hanging near the top left corner by my return. This morning both seemed fine, both ate, no apparent issues. Later this afternoon I noticed the affected clownfish seemed to be at the waterline a lot, but I didn't examine her closely and I don't know if it was related.

I did a water change about an hour ago. My wife noticed the clownfish foundering in the current. I netted it into an acclimation box and noticed for the first time her bulging eyes, top fin was eroded, and she looks like she has some sort of abraision around her head and gills. She had labored breathing and erratic swimming. Once in the box she lay on her side at the bottom, as I type she's back up towards the top of the box as if trying to get air. Thwother clown seems fine with no sings of stress.

My first thought was that she unknowingly was caught in my return pipe when it began to siphon back to the sump when I turned off the pump. I only say that because she looks beat up, but that wouldn't explain the bulging eyes. I don't have experience enough to know what else it might possibly be or what steps to take. She doesn't look as if she's going to make it. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

I'll try to get better pics - I did this hastily.

 

[aykwm]

hanging by the flow is most likely velvet.
If you have acriflavine or formalin do a bath, if not, then FW dip for 5 min will relief the fish and buy you some time. After that you need to start treatment with copper or chloroquine phosphate.

 

[Humblefish]

Are both eyes bulging? It sounds/looks like a bacterial infection: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/bacterial-infections.191511/

However, bacterial infections are often secondary in nature to a preexisting parasitic or worm infestation. Were the clowns treated prophylactically for parasites in QT? When was the last fish/coral/invert added to your tank?

 

[Maritimer]

She does look as though she's been through a wringer...

Are the clowns hanging by the return/swimming into its current, or are they hanging by the return as though they're being hosted by it?

I agree with Humblefish (big, giant surprise!) on the visible symptoms looking more bacterial than anything else.

~Bruce

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

Are both eyes bulging? It sounds/looks like a bacterial infection: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/bacterial-infections.191511/

However, bacterial infections are often secondary in nature to a preexisting parasitic or worm infestation. Were the clowns treated prophylactically for parasites in QT? When was the last fish/coral/invert added to your tank?

Both eyes are bulging. The clowns were treated with two doses of Prazipro in week 2 and 3 of their quarantine. I added a small chalice frag this morning which was dipped in Revive.

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

She does look as though she's been through a wringer...

Are the clowns hanging by the return/swimming into its current, or are they hanging by the return as though they're being hosted by it?

I agree with Humblefish (big, giant surprise!) on the visible symptoms looking more bacterial than anything else.

~Bruce

They were not in the flow of the return; they were behind it and up and down the back corner in general. I do not believe they were trying to get relief from gill issues - they acted the same upon intorduction to their quarantine tank.

 

[melypr1985]

She definitely seems to have an infection going on. It looks to be a serious one. I would do an acriflavin dip followed by QT and antibiotics. You'll need to explore the root cause of the infection such as ich.

 

[Humblefish]

Both eyes are bulging. The clowns were treated with two doses of Prazipro in week 2 and 3 of their quarantine. I added a small chalice frag this morning which was dipped in Revive.

They were not in the flow of the return; they were behind it and up and down the back corner in general. I do not believe they were trying to get relief from gill issues - they acted the same upon intorduction to their quarantine tank.

Your best bet is an acriflavine bath (first choice) or Methylene Blue bath (this would be my second choice).

And then into QT with antibiotics: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/antibiotics.283711/

 

[aykwm]

The frag coral might've introduced a parasite to the tank causing the infection. As suggested acriflavine bath should give them relief and help with the bacterial infection, then QT them and run antibiotics. Keep an eye for probable parasite infection.

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

Of course my phone battery is too low for flash...here's a couple more picks with a flashlight. You can see white areas at the pectoral and pelvic fins.

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

Thank you for the quick answers and the links. Everything is closed at the moment near me - I'll have these products on hand next time. I'm going to put the both of them in a QT tank and will need to wait until tomorrow to treat, unfortunately. I hope she has that long.

Everything happened so fast, or so it seemed. She could have had symptons prior to tonight but I sure didn't notice them.

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

API makes a product called "Fungus Cure" that contains acriflavine according to their data sheet:

(http://www.apifishcare.com/pdf/16_F...SVendors_2014_February_14_03-51-03-039_AM.pdf)

It might be avaialable at Walmart.

 

[Maritimer]

It might help as a bath, but won't effect a cure on its own. Hope you were able to get it!

(Actual fungus is almost vanishingly rare in saltwater fish.)

Hope she pulls through . . .

~Bruce

 

[Humblefish]

API makes a product called "Fungus Cure" that contains acriflavine according to their data sheet

Anything which contains acriflavine can be used as the bath component, but followup treatment with antibiotics in QT is essential. For 10 days minimum.

If you can't find acriflavine, I recommend just starting the antibiotic treatment in QT ASAP.

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

She's still kicking, but the white film has spread some. I was able to get Ruby Red Rally for the acriflavine this morning and they are both currently in a 75min bath of 1 teaspoon in a gallon. I also purchased Fluval-2, Kanaplex, and Metroplex and have set up a hospital tank and dosing schedule for the full ten days. Per the article I can combine these antibiotics, correct @Humblefish ?

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

Current pics:

 

[Humblefish]

I also purchased Fluval-2, Kanaplex, and Metroplex and have set up a hospital tank and dosing schedule for the full ten days. Per the article I can combine these antibiotics, correct @Humblefish ?

Yes

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

Update:

I've been treating as recommended. The eye swelling has gone down almost back to normal size, although it's clear that she is currently blind. The cloudiness of the eyes seems to have subsided and I hope her sight returns as I continue treatment. She still is exhibiting swimming vertically with her mouth to the surface, as well as swimming on her side and sometimes almost upside down, but she is moving around the tank more. It's as if she doesn't know which way is up. She has taken food yesterday and today, albeit a small amount since unless I get it immediately in font of her she can't find it. I still see patches of white by her pestoral fins but I'm not seeing growth of the patch or further deterioration of her fins.

I'll perform the full 10 days of treatment and hope I see continued improvement. If she were to regain her sight I'd feel much better.

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

Pics from this morning. I could use your opinions on her pectoral fin and the poo issue going on. Vision and mobility continuing to improve.